Motor-tire-chain lock



J. T. FOSTER MOTOR TIRE CHAINLOCK Filed Feb. 25, 1928 Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN '1; FOSTER, F CHULA, MISSOURI.

MOTOR-TIRE-CHAIN Locx.

Application filed February 25, 1928. Serial No. 256,940.

This invention relates to a locking link, especially designed for use in connecting the ends of motor vehicle anti-skid chains.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a locking link of this type which may be readily and easily applied, and one which when moved to its locked position will securely hold the ends of the chain together against accidental displacement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fastener of this character which may be readily locked and unlocked by merely exerting a lateral pressure on the sliding locking member of the chain link.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a locking link constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the link.

Figure 3 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the locking link, showing the pivoted section thereof as moved to its inactive position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4:.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the locking link includes a solid body portion 5 formed with a cut out portion .6 extending from one edge of thebody portion defining an offset portion 7 acting as a keeper for the 45 link of the chain connected with the locking link, the link of the chain connected with the locking link being indicated by the reference character 8.

The reference character 9 designates a 50 lever, pivotally connected to the body portion 5, at 10, the lever being curved and provided with a cut out portion 11 adjacent thereto and adapted to register with the offset portion 7 This lever acts as an actuating lever 55 so that a chain link may be positioned thereover, and when the lever 1S moved to its operative position, the link of the chain will be drawn into position on the locking link.

An opening is formed in the body portion and accommodates the locking member 12 that has a hook portion 13 formed at one end thereof, the free end of the hook portion extending into the cut out portion of the body portion 5 adjacent to one end of the offset portion 7, to close the opening and prevent the link connected therewith from becoming disconnected from the fastener or locking link.-

As clearly shown by Figure 3, the locking member 12 is substantially long and is provided with a head 14 at one end thereof, the head acting as a finger piece to be gripped by the fingers of the operator to move the looking member to its inactive position.

portion 5. Theelocking lever may now be swung to its inactive position and the chain link removed from the body portion.

In the form of the invention as illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 of the drawing, the body portion. of the locking link is indicated by the reference character 16 and is shown as having a cut out portion 17 extending from one edge thereof and terminating in an offset portion 18 designed to accommodate thelink '19 of the chain to be connected with the locking link.

The locking member in this form of the invention is indicated by the reference char acter 20 and is in the form of a bolt having a hook 21 formed at one end thereof, the

free end of the hook 21 being designed to pass into the offset portion of thd cut *out portion 17, directly behind the link 19 positioned in the offset portion, to close the cut outportion and prevent the link from becoming disconnected.

A coiled spring 22 is mounted on the locking member and bears against the finger piece 23 to normally urge the hooked end of the locking member into its locking position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described,- I have provided an exceptionally strong and durable locking link which may be used for connecting the ends of anti-skid chain's, it being' understood that the construction shown is one which may be used Without danger of breaking under the severe strain to which an anti-skid chain is subjected, and one which will not be affected by rust which usually collects on looking links to prevent the operation thereof.

I claim:

1. A fastening link including a body having a cut out portion extending from one edge thereof and terminating in an ofiset portion to receive a link of a chain, a lookthrough the body portion, said pin having a head at one end and a hook portion at the other end, the end of the hook portion being positioned in the ofiset portion of the mg member embodying a pin extending.

cut out portion to contact with the chain link positioned therein, .to lock the chain link against movement, and a spring on the pin between the head and body portion to normally urgethe pin to its locking position.

2. A fastening link including a body hav ing a cut out portion extending from one edge thereof and terminating in an offset portion to receive a link of a chain, a piv-. oted member having a rearwardly disposed cut out portion extending from one edge thereof, the cut out portion of the pivoted member adapted to aline with the cut out portion of the body to receive the link, a

locking member including a pin, extending through the body, a hook at one end of the pin and adapted to extend into the aligning cut out portions to lock the pivoted member against movement.

In testimony that Iv claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed signature.

JOHN T. FOSTER. 

